Early Voting Opens in Eastern Idaho

Early voting is open across Eastern Idaho and the entire state.It's a great way to beat the rush to the polls.

“I’m voting for my country, well my city,” says Norman Hanson, a resident of Chubbuck and an early voter.

With municipal election season coming up quickly, the polls are already open to those wanting to get ahead of the crowds.

Bannock County Clerk Dale Hatch said, “I think the city of Pocatello and Chubbuck is going to be high in their voting this year.”

The high voter turnout that city officials hope for is a good thing, but doesn’t necessarily make the voting process easy. That’s where early voting comes in.

“I’d rather do early voting because of the lines and stuff, not having to wait. And it’s very convenient,” comments Hatch.

One Chubbuck resident got his vote in this morning and recommends early voting for a quick and painless experience.

“It was quick, and not crowded, and really a better experience than standing in line at night at 6 o’clock or whenever you get off of work,” said Norman Hanson.

10 minutes in and out the door is all it takes to cast your vote during this early voting period, even if you still need to register.

“You have to have your photo ID, or if you don’t have your photo ID, you have an affidavit that you can sign stating that you are who you are,” explains Hatch on how simple it is to register.

Whether you decide to cast your vote early or wait until election night, the important part is that you do.

“It’s our right. We should get involved in the politics and really get out and know who you’re voting for and why you’re voting for because it’s all important,” says Hatch.

The early voting polls are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and you have until November 1st at 5:00 pm to cast your early vote. If you don't want to go into the courthouse, you can request an absentee ballot until October 30th.